On the Road: essential pitstops to make when travelling between the Heathcote and Upper Goulburn wine regions

Victoria is home to more wineries and wine regions than any other state in Australia, making it so hard to choose just one spot to visit. That’s why we love to combine a few in one trip, with Heathcote and Upper Goulburn the perfect pair. 

They are less than a two hours’ drive away from one another, and together produce a kaleidoscope of top-tier wines. Heathcote is best-known for shiraz, but wineries here are increasingly embracing more Mediterranean varieties like grenache, tempranillo and sangiovese. You’ll also find chardonnay and a smattering of Rhone white wines, including marsanne, roussanne and viognier.

On the other hand, Upper Goulburn – which is one of the coolest wine regions in Australia – is home to more textural white wines. You can expect crisp examples of chardonnay, riesling, gewurztraminer and sauvignon blanc from wineries in this part of Victoria's High Country.

Surrounding these parts is a wild landscape brimming with breathtaking places to go hiking, swimming, canoeing and skiing. Prefer to sit back and simply admire the views with a glass of wine in hand? There's a great array of winery cellar doors that'll offer up just that.  

To help you find your way from Heathcote to Upper Goulburn, we have put together this roadtrip guide. Find vineyards to visit, natural landscapes to explore and the top spots to rest your head for the night. 

Heathcote winery stop: Sanguine Estate

Heathcote can be a bit of a tricky one when it comes to finding a winery to spend time at – many are by-appointment only – but Sanguine Estate’s new cellar door is an absolute must-visit. Here, guests can sink into plush lounges inside the contemporary space or enjoy the outdoors from the sunlit terrace – both offering sweeping vineyard views. Those dropping by from Wednesday to Friday can even watch winemaker Mark Hunter at work through the glass doors of the winery – getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the art of winemaking. 

Sanguine’s wine tastings are also excellent, offering a mix of tradition and discovery. You’ll sample their chardonnay, fiano and verdejo as well as tempranillo, nebbiolo and lagrein. Of course, region-defining shiraz is on the menu, alongside the team’s own sparkling rosé, and a sweet wine born from a mysterious vine planted by Swiss-Italian pioneer Pietro D’Orsa in the late 1800s. 

When it comes to food, you can treat yourselves to a ‘choose-your-own’ cheese and charcuterie board, which comes brimming with premium local and imported selections. Plus, come January 2026, the Sanguine Estate team plans to offer a larger array of gourmet snacks and special live music nights.

77 Shurans Lane, Heathcote | Wednesday–Sunday 11am–5pm | Sanguine Estate website

Nature stops: Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve, Lake Eppalock, Polly McQuinns Swimming Hole, Great Victorian Rail Trail, High Country Gardens, Gallery & Maze

This part of Victoria is home to vast grasslands, alpine forests, meandering rivers and expansive lakes – all waiting to be explored by foot, bike, canoe or even a private helicopter ride. 

Your first pitstop when leaving Heathcote will likely be the Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve, where you can wander around undulating hills made up of fine pink clay carved out during gold mining excavations in the 1800s. 

Not too far off, you’ll then find Lake Eppalock where you can spend a sunny day swimming and jet skiing. This spot is less busy than the nearby Lake Eildon, meaning you won’t struggle to find your own part of the lake to float around in during a lazy afternoon. 

For more swimming, we highly recommend Polly McQuinns Swimming Hole – where you can paddle beneath a manmade waterfall and swim down rapids. You can even dive into the deep part of the swimming hole off a purpose-built diving board.

Those keen for long walks best visit the Great Victoria Rail Trail, which can be traversed by foot, bike or horse. This unique walking track features a series of art installations, and it will have you discovering rivers, lush valleys, lakes and mountains.

If untamed nature isn’t your cup of tea, be sure to make a detour to the High Country Gardens, Gallery & Maze. This two-hectare award-winning garden blooms with hundreds of roses, spring bulbs and perennials, and it is the perfect spot to drop by for a classic Devonshire Tea. It’s relaxing, picturesque and all too easy to explore at a leisurely pace. 

Overnight stops: glamping tents, tiny houses, cabins, farmhouses and private homes

Wherever you’re setting up for the night, you’ll want to have a grade A view of the surrounding region. For that, it’s hard to go past a luxury glamping site like Heathcote’s Yellow Box Wood. Here, there are just two luxurious off-grid safari-style glamping tents set within 100 acres of bushland. Both tents can sleep up to four guests, and have their own private fire pits, barbecues and spacious decks. You'll also shared use of the site’s mineral salt swimming pool. 

Prefer something a little cosier? Tiny homes and cabins abound here, offering an opportunity to get close to nature while enjoying a few more creature comforts than you’ll get with off-grid glamping. 

Those seeking a more grand accommodation should look at booking an entire farmstay or private home – perfect for large groups travelling from Heathcote to Upper Goulburn. You’ll want to spend a few nights in these luxury sites, taking full advantage of the vast properties, private pools and fully kitted-out kitchens. 

Upper Goulburn winery stop: Ros Ritchie Wines

When ending your road trip from Heathcote to Upper Goulburn, you best carve out some time for a lengthy visit to Ros Ritchie Wines. 

At this boutique Mansfield winery, you’ll be welcomed by the team’s friendly and knowledgeable cellar door staff who’ll take you through a seated tasting of their extensive range of wines – made from both estate-grown fruit and local grower’s fruit.  

You’ll sample riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, pinot blanc and rosé as well as cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, nebbiolo and petit meunier. Sparkling wine is also on the cards – best enjoyed with a food platter out on the pavilion during a sunny day. 

What’s more, Ros Ritchie Wines is kid- and dog-friendly, meaning you won’t need to leave any of your loved ones at home when travelling around these two standout Victorian wine regions.  

190 Mount Buller Road, Mansfield | Saturdays and Sundays 11am–4pm | Ros Ritchie Wines website

Order your copy of the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion today 

The 2026 edition of the seminal guide to Australian wine, the Halliday Wine Companion, is on sale now. Purchase your copy today, or upgrade to a Vintage Halliday membership.

Images courtesy of Visit Victoria